As an adult, you can exercise these rights yourself. If you are a minor or if you become incapable of making decisions about your health care, these rights will be exercised by the person having legal responsibility for participating in decisions concerning your medical care.

You have the right to:

be treated in a caring and polite way.

know all the facts we have about your illness, treatments and possible outcomes. Your healthcare provider will give these facts to you.

know the name, specialty and credentials of the healthcare provider responsible for your care.

change healthcare providers if you wish.

say yes to treatment, or to say no or refuse treatment.

participate in decision-making.

agree to an advance directive, such as a healthcare proxy, which tells your healthcare provider how you want to be treated and whom you want to make decisions for you if you cannot speak for yourself at the time. The person you choose in your proxy is your healthcare agent.

be examined in private by your healthcare provider or other healthcare professional.

talk to your healthcare provider in private. You have a right to a translator service at no charge to you.

look at your medical record and get a copy for a reasonable fee.

receive a copy of the University Health Services Notice of Privacy Practices. This includes our legal duties regarding your health information. This document is available on this website or from our Patient Services representatives.

make complaints through the UHS Feedback procedure without concern that your care will be affected. We welcome your suggestions and questions about UHS services, the healthcare professionals providing care and patients’ rights and responsibilities. Feedback forms are located inside the main front door, and in the lobbies of the Walk-in Clinic, General Medicine Clinic and the ground floor.

You are responsible for:

knowing the extent and limitations of your insurance benefits.

keeping appointments and promptly canceling any appointments that you cannot or do not need to keep.

telling us about your current symptoms, your health history or any other information regarding your health that will help us to treat you.

following the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare provider for your care.

telling us the medications you are taking, including the strength and how often you take them. Include over the counter medications, dietary supplements and herbal products you take and or alternative medicines or treatments that you receive. Report any allergies or reactions you have had to any medications.

fulfilling financial obligations for services provided.

being considerate of UHS staff and other patients and being respectful of UHS property and property of others.

asking any questions if you do not understand instructions given to you at discharge about the treatment plan that you will use at home, including medications.

Updated 10/2012

Notice of Privacy Practices

Patients have the right to know how their medical information may be used and disclosed, and how they can get access to this information.

This is explained in UHS' Notice of Privacy Practices. Ask for a copy from a Patient Services representative or download one
here.

If you have concerns...

If you feel your rights may have been violated, contact the UHS Director of Clinical Practices, Operations and Systems, (413) 577-5265.